Bidding Repeal Gains 150th Cosponsor

The movement to repeal the Medicare national competitive bidding program is gaining steam as the Round 1 pricing announcement approaches its June deadline. According to HomeCare magazine, at the AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference on March 1, U.S. Representative Phil Gingrey (R-GA) announced he would sign HR 3790 “first thing” Tuesday morning, making him the 150th cosponsor of the bill, which would repeal the competitive bidding program. HR 3790 is intended to offer Congress a cost-identical alternative to competitive bidding, incorporating minor reimbursement cuts and a Consumer Price Index freeze instead.